The buildings on the island consisted of an old sawmill, from which the machinery had been removed, now falling into ruin; a couple of dilapidated sheds, with tarred wooden roofs; a yard in which once the timber had been piled in stacks higher than the engine-house itself; and a small four-roomed house, formerly used as the dwelling-place of the foreman. These buildings and the wall of the yard rose between Crawford and the tow-path. The island itself was on a level with the ground on which Crawford's House stood; and William Crawford's sitting-room, being on the first floor, did not overpeer even the wall of the yard: hence the view of the tow-path was cut off except at the head and the tail of Boland's Ait. William Crawford bit his under lip and gnawed the knuckle of his left forefinger, and plucked at his shaven cheek and upper lip as though at whiskers and moustache. At last he dropped his hand, and remained motionless, as though an idea had struck him and he was considering it. Suddenly he raised his head like one who has made up his mind, and walked with a quick step to the door, and, opening it, went out on the landing. He leaned over the balustrade and called out: "Mrs. Grainger, will you come up, please? I want to speak to you for a minute." Mrs. Grainger hastened from the kitchen. She had the sleeves of her washed-out lilac cotton dress rolled up above her arms, and an enormous apron, once white, now mottled and piebald with innumerable marks and stains. "Will you sit down a moment?" Crawford said, pointing to a chair. He walked up and down the room during the interview. Mrs. Grainger sat down and threw her apron over to her left side, by way of qualifying herself for the honour of a seat in Mr. Crawford's room and in Mr. Crawford's presence. "Miss Layard told me last evening some interesting facts you mentioned to her about a--gentleman who lives on this island here in the canal." "Yes, sir. A Mr. Bramwell, who lives all alone on Boland's Ait." "Exactly. Do you know anything about him? The case is so remarkable, I am interested in it merely out of curiosity." "I know, sir; and he is a curiosity, certainly," said Mrs. Grainger, settling herself firmly on her chair, and arranging her mind as well as her body for a good long chat, for every minute devoted to which she would be receiving her pay. Crawford caught the import of her gesture and said sharply: "I do not wish to keep you long, Mrs. Grainger; I have only a few questions to ask, and then you may leave me." "Yes, sir," said the charwoman, instantly sitting upright and on her dignity. "Have you ever seen this strange man?" "Only twice." "Would you know him again if you saw him?" "O, yes, sir, I should know him anywhere." "Tell me what he is like." "Quite the gentleman, sir, he looks, but seems to be poor, or he wouldn't live in such a place all by himself and wear such poor clothes." "His clothes are poor, then?"